Mississippi State University today is announcing the addition of its 10th college and its first with a focus on cross-disciplinary, tailored education to prepare students for solving some of the nation and world’s greatest challenges. The new College of Integrative Studies was approved Thursday [Jan. 16] by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
A unit of the Division of Academic Affairs, the college will equip students to look beyond the boundaries of a single discipline—equipping them with an interdisciplinary and adaptable approach in today’s global marketplace. A major focus will be research and experiential, or hands-on, learning opportunities incorporated into the course of study.
The college is the new home for MSU’s Data Science Academic Institute, which offers programs including the Bachelor of Science in Data Science—with 10 concentrations—the Master of Science in Applied Data Science, and the Graduate Certificate for Data Science Pedagogy. These programs provide expertise in the context of the artificial intelligence revolution and digital transformation in the world of work.
“This new college broadens horizons for Mississippi State students by immersing them in a dynamic academic environment and helping them gain a broader, global perspective they can apply in real-world work environments,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “Today’s workforce requires this kind of skill set and knowledge, and we’re proud to be a leader among institutions taking this integrated approach.”
According to MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, the university’s introduction of the College of Integrative Studies can be seen as an incubator for other new degrees emerging from cutting-edge computing technologies.
“Mississippi State’s goal is to meet students where they are in educational needs and requirements and provide employers with highly skilled and confident graduates ready to go to work. We’re making a concerted effort to establish interdisciplinary programs to meet these needs further,” he said.
Shaw said he expects the number of programs in the new college to quickly grow as faculty continue working in cross-disciplinary teams on innovative new degree pathways.